Scientific research highlights whale habitats in Chile and the Arctic

In Chile, oceanographic research has identified Isla Chañaral within the Humboldt Archipelago as a critical feeding zone for large cetaceans, specifically blue and fin whales. Dr. Susannah Buchan, an oceanographer, explains that the area's unique oceanographic conditions and the presence of a submarine canyon facilitate the concentration of krill, which supports high biological productivity.

Separately, in the Arctic Ocean, researchers from the Norwegian seabed mapping program, MAREANO, discovered an accumulation of whale bones and teeth buried beneath seafloor sediments. Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the team identified a specialized ecosystem surrounding the remains. This phenomenon, known as a whale fall, provides essential nutrients such as sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus to deep-sea organisms in environments where food is typically scarce.